Hailing the local heroes

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Their box office appeal may make them international property,
but last night's celebration of the film industry showed that
Australia can still draw the big stars home.

On the red carpet at the Regent Theatre, along with '20s-styled
girls in suspenders and corsets were actors who included Naomi
Watts, Geoffrey Rush and Sam Neill.

This year the film nominees for the AFIs have struggled to break
the $5 million mark at the box office. But the runaway success of
first-time writer-director Cate Shortland's Somersault gave the
industry a highlight.

Watts, in a shimmering Collette Dinnigan frock, heralded the
achievements of Best Actress winner Abbie Cornish.

"I saw Somersault the other day, and thought she was incredibly
talented," Watts said. "She has a big career ahead of her."

Cornish, dressed in a Toni Maticevski ensemble, said the movie
had a universal theme to which many could connect.

"I just love that it's about such a specific moment in someone's
experience where something will change their life forever."